Five Minutes With: Richard Braqo

Shoe
designer Richard Braqo was the first ever recipient of the Cesare
Paciotti Accessories Award for shoe design at New York’s Parsons School
of Designin 2009 and since then he’s worked with Acne, been in Vogue US
and seen Rihanna rocking his heels. Here he talks Tilda, Tom Ford and
square toes before debuting his SS13 fashion film on Hunger TV.

WHAT DREW YOU TO FOOTWEAR DESIGN ORIGINALLY?
It sort of happened by accident. As part of my thesis
apparel collection at Parsons, I happened to win the accessories award
for my shoe design which led to a collaboration with Cesare Paciotti
that led to me starting my own brand.
WHAT INSPIRES YOUR WORK?
Women first and foremost and most of my design elements are
pulled from my own experiences. But also music art literature, astrology
and film.
IS THERE A SPECIFIC PAIR OF SHOES FROM A PARTICULAR DESIGNER
THAT YOU WISH YOU HAD DESIGNED, A PAIR THAT STANDOUT AS THE PERFECT
SHOE?
There aren’t a specific pair of shoes I wish I’d designed
but Tom Ford had some pretty epic satin bamboo heels that are still a
favorite of mine.
WHAT KIND OF WOMAN IS THE RICHARD BRAQO WOMAN?
Audacious irreverent and sharp.
DO YOU HAVE A MUSE?
Giovanna Battaglia and Tilda Swinton both have great style that inspires me.
WHAT SHOE TREND DO YOU WANT TO SEE DISAPPEAR?
I’m not the biggest fan of a really squared toe…
WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM YOU IN 2013?
I’ll be expanding my list of stockists to accommodate the
different range of international requests we’re getting. And some more
shoes of course!